VINCENT O’BRIEN, widely regarded as the finest racehorse trainer of the last century, died yesterday at his home in Co Kildare. He was 92.
During a 51-year career in which he transformed many aspects of thoroughbred racing, O’Brien won 27 Irish Classic races as well as a further 16 in Britain.
They included six victories in the Epsom Derby with horses such as Nijinsky (1970), Roberto (1972) and Golden Fleece in 1982. He also won France’s most famous race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, on three occasions including back-to-back successes with Alleged in 1977 and 1978.
O’Brien retired from training at his world famous Ballydoyle stables near Cashel in 1994. He spent his time between homes in Straffan and in Perth, Western Australia, where his wife, Jacqueline, is originally from. They have five children.
There have been many tributes to a man who has been described as an innovator in horse racing, particularly for his discovery and then handling of the progeny of famous Canadian-bred stallion Northern Dancer.
Sons and grandsons of Northern Dancer have dominated the European breeding industry for the last quarter of a century, including the champion stallion Sadler’s Wells, which stood at the Coolmore Stud in Co Tipperary which O’Brien owned with his son-in-law John Magnier.
In 2003, nine years after O'Brien's retirement, the Racing Postasked its readers around the world to select the sport's 100 greatest figures. The runaway number one was Vincent O'Brien, clear of his former jockey Lester Piggott.
A few years earlier the Irishman had been selected as the greatest flat trainer and jumps trainer of the 20th century.
Yesterday President Mary McAleese said: “As one of the most successful trainers in the industry, acknowledged both at home and abroad throughout his long and illustrious career, Dr O’Brien played a key role in the establishment of Ireland as a centre of racing excellence.”
O’Brien’s daughter Sue Magnier said: “Dad’s career speaks for itself and needs no elaboration. There was nobody like him. Coolmore Stud and Ballydoyle are the results of his vision and testament to his success.”
Ireland’s current champion trainer Aidan O’Brien now trains at Ballydoyle and expressed his sadness at his predecessor’s death.
“As for so many people in racing he was my hero growing up,” he said. “There is nothing that compares to Ballydoyle anywhere in the world. I feel a sense of history every morning when I walk into a yard that has had horses such as Nijinsky, Sir Ivor and Sadler’s Wells in it. It is humbling to follow in his footsteps.”
Former BBC commentator, Sir Peter O’Sullevan, a long-time friend of O’Brien, said: “His achievements are unparalleled in my view, not just for a 20th century training career, but of all time.” Curragh trainer John Oxx described him as a “remarkable man, ahead of his time in so many ways”.
Vincent O’Brien’s removal is to St Conleth’s Church, Newbridge, Co Kildare, arriving at 6pm tomorrow. The funeral Mass is at noon on Thursday, followed by a private cremation.
